Times endorses Hutchison in exec’s race

The Seattle Times has endorsed Susan Hutchison over Dow Constantine in the King County executive’s race.

Susan Hutchison is a political outsider and brings a host of fresh ideas of how to tackle the budget. Because of this potential, she earns the endorsement of The Seattle Times….Constantine is heavily backed by the unions and has said he can’t open their contracts and will revisit concessions only once they expire. Constantine touts himself as a reformer. Reform can only happen if the old ways, including union contracts, are overhauled.

Hutchison, a former union member, has said she is not afraid to work with the unions and seek to open their contracts — now.

….A Hutchison administration would be smart to work closely with Constantine, who will remain on the council after the election. Constantine can provide a steady hand and has shown some initiative, such as when he led hearings on election reform and steered the county toward new equipment and election changes.

Constantine is quiet, wonky and obviously cares deeply about King County. He is an asset to the next executive.

The Times’ focus on union relationships is interesting. Recently Hutchison has sounded a softer tone on labor relations than Constantine. Constantine has said if unions object to more unpaid furlough days next year, they should be imposed. Hutchison, while insisting that the county has to negotiate harder with unions, had said if labor objects to furloughs she wouldn’t make them take unpaid days off.